Periodic rotary switch



March 15, 19271 1,621,214

W. N.- OLSON PERI ODI G ROTARY SWITCH Filed April 22. 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 1 v r 1,621,214 March 1927' w. N. OLSON PERI ODI C ROTARY SWITCH Filed April 22. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 15 1927.

1,621,214 w. N. OLSON PERI-ODIC ROTARY swuca Filed April 22, 1925 3 Shoots-Shoot 3 Patented M... 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

WALDEMAR N.- OLSON,- OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO mNOIiDS nmwnirc OOMPAR'Y, A CORPOBATIbN OF ILLINOIS.

, rnmonrc ROTARY. swrrcn.

a plication filed April 22, 1925. Serial no. 25,115.

This invention relates to that class of electric circuit controllers by means of which one or more circuits ma closed or controlled for lighting and extinguishing an'electric lamp .or lamps, or for signallingor other purposes.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a compact, simple, economical and efiicientelectric. circuit controlling mechanism adapted tobe used -for making and breaking an electric circuit or' circuits forlighting .and extinguishing a, lamp or lamps, such, for example as the lamp or lamps of an electric sign or signalling device, or for operatin electrically actuated devices, or for signalhngor other purposes in an eflicient manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric circuit controller, or

circuit making and breaking mechanism of k the type having a rotary contract member or contact drum having one or more contacts adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with one or more stationary brushes or other similar or suitable contact members, for making and breaking anelectric circuitor circuits, such, for example, as the electric circuit or circuits of an electric sign or sign flasher, or for signalling or other purposes, which will be compact, durable, comparatively noiseless, economical and efficient in operation.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear from the following description and claims, and from an inspection'of the accompanying drawings, which are made a part of this specification.

The invention consists in the features, combinations, details of construction and arrangement of parts'herein descrlbed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I Figure 1 is a view 1n central verticalsection-of an electric circuit controller, or circuit mak ng and breakingmechanism, constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2' is a view in transverse section, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

be opened and Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view in transverse section, taken on line 33 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and shows a shock-absorbing or cushioning spring operativel connected with the rotative contact mem r or drum, for reducing the shocks to which said drum and other parts are subjected in use;

Fig. 4 is a similar enlarged detail view intransverse section, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, looking in'the direction indicated by the arrows, and showing the sp nism operatively connected with t e rotative contact member or drum and with the mecha driving shaft, for rotating the drum or contact member with respect to the shaft, and for permitting the rotation. of the shaft with respect to the drum and the slowing downand acceleration of the movement or the drum with respect to the shaft and with I I respect to the stationary contacts or brushes;

stationary stop of which there may be one or more, said cam and pawl being shown in broken lines in releasing osition;

Fig. 6 is a similar deta1l view of the parts shown in Fig. 5, showing the releasing cam and the stopping and releasing pawl ordetent lever inreleasing position in full lines, and in stopping position with the pawl in engagement with a lower stationarystop, in broken lines;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the parts shown in Figs. 5 and 6, showing the releasing cam' and pawl in releasingyosition in full lines as, they would appear after'tho movement of said parts from the position in which they are shown in Fi 6 to the posit on shown in said Fig. 7, t e pawl being shown in' broken lines as it would appear upon being snapped or moved foi'ward with the indicated by the'arrows, and showing the v rotative drum into a position to cause the cam to engage the rear lever arm of the pawl so as to set or move the latter to position to three stationary stops, and threestationary brushes or contacts each adapted to engage one,or more contacts on the rotative drum zosdrum, and an air-containin which may have three or anydesired number of contacts for engaging the brushes;

Flg. 9 is a detail view in horizontal ,section showing the selective stationary contact fingers orbrushes in contact with the rotative contact member ordrum, and showmg the construction of the periphery or bruslrengaging peripheral surface of the or depression or pocket in the surface of the drum, at the circuit-breaking end of the contact segment,

. and

. Fig. 10 is ajdetail view or development of the periphery of the drum, showing the cons ductiveelement and peripheralair-pockets.

In constructing a circuit controller or circult making and breaking mechanism in acchamber 14 sulating material, such cordance with. my invention, I provide a frame or casing 1 -whiclnmay be of any desired well known or suitable form adapted to support and enclose or shield the moving parts to be mounted therein, andby preference comprise a pluralit of sections, such, for example, as end sections 2 and 3 and a central section 4 which are rigidly-secured -together by suitable securing means. A base or bottom wall 5 may be secured to or formed integrally with the outer casing walls 6 of one or more of the connected casing SGCtlOIlS'QP frame members. The outer casing walls may be circular or in part circular and in part angular, or of any suitab'e' form; and transverse end walls 7 and 8. and intermediate upright transverse walls or frame members 9 and 10 are so disposed and spaced apart that the casing is divided into compartments 11, 12, 13 and 14. The compartment or chamber 11 formed by the end section 2 'is adapted to contain the contact drum or rot-ative contact member and brushes, and the stopping and releasingmechanism and drum-actuating mechanism which will be more fully described. The compartment or chamber 12 encloses the motor. The compartment-13 serves as a gear chamber or compartment. And the compartment or is adapted to contain the motor leads and connections and other electric conductors which may be of any desired ordinary and well known or suitabe form.

An upright inner transverse supporting frame member or plate 15, of suitableinfor example as insulating fiber, is rigidly secured to a suita-v and in threaded engagement with suitablythreaded perforations or openings in the bosses 16 or wall 9. The plate 15 is thus supported in the compartment 11 in spaced apart relationto the transverse inner wall 9, and is provided with a centr'al opening through which the rotative contact member or drum and drum-actuating shaft hereinafter described, may extend. A bracket or supporting member 18 which may have one or more arms, is provided and adaptedto be rigidly secured to'the inner transverse upright wall 9 or the bosses 16, which are, by preference cast'in one integral piece with said wall 9. This bracketmay he removabl secured in position by means of the securing screws 17, or. other sultab'lc by preference,

located in position to extend into or through an opening 20 in the upright end wall 7 of the casing or frame. This end wall 7 is a part of the casing section 2, and is detachably secured to the central) casing or frame member lbysuitable securing means, such, for example, as one or more screws 21 inserted through the end wall 7 and anchored in the bracket 8 which is in turn connected with and supported by the lllILBI wall 9.

A drum actuating or driving shaft 22 is journaled in suitable supporting journal bearings one of which may bethe bearing or opening 19 inthe supporting arm or bracket 18, and the other of which may be an opening or hearing 23 in'the inner transverse upright frame member or wall 9 through which said shaft extends. The driving shaft, 22 is operatively connected with a suitable source of power which may beof any desired well known or suitablefform,

the compartment 12 and having a core or rotor 25 fixed to arotative motor shaft-26 v such for example, as an electric motor 24 locatedin to the rotative drum-actuating or driving shaft 22, and connecting gears which may comprise, connected gear wheels'31, 33,34, 36, '37, and 39, which form a connection between said gears 30 and 40. The gears 31,

34 and Marc supported on stub shafts 32,

35, and 38 respectively.

A rotative contact element or snap contact drum member 41 which is, by preferance, cylindrical and comprises a continuous metalliec'ontact member or annular contact 42 and one or more interrupted segmental metallic contact elements or members 43 mounted upon or fixed to an annular or cylindrical insulating body or drum member 44 of insulating material, such for example, as molded commercial fiber, hard rubber, or laminated fibrous or insulating material or composition of any ordinary and well known or suitable form, is provided and rotatively mounted upon a'suitable support. The rotative contact element or drum 41 is, by preference, loosely mounted on a driving shaft, such, for example, as the driving shaft 22 which extends loosely through a suitable axial opening in the drum or rotative contact member 41, so that the drum may be .operatively connected with and in relatively movable relation to the shaft. The rotative contactmember or drum 41 is, by preferance, provided with an inner or axial hollow bearin or sleeve member 44' which loosely encircles the driving shaft 22 and forms a hub or annular end bearing portion on which is mounted an end collar or plate 45, which is detachably secured in fixed relation to the drum body 44 and sleeve 44' by suitable securing screws or other ordinary or suitablesecuring means. The end plate or collar 45 has a segmental slot or opening 46 which is made by cutting away a segment of the periphery of the collar or plate; and the main body or molded insulating body portion 44 of the rotative contact element or drum 41 is provided with a segment-a1 slot or opening 47 and with a suitable space 48, for admitting the spring mechanism and connecting pins or bossesby means of which the drum is operatively connected with or 1n and in fixed relation to the central or main insulating body portion 44 of the ro tative contact element or drum 41. And one or more drum-actuating springs 53, 53, 53, encircle the shaft 22, one end of each spring 53 being secured to the crank pin or boss-51,

' and thereby connected with the crank arm 49 and shaft 22, and the other end of each of said springs 53 being connected with the pin or boss 52 on the drum, and thereby attached t o the drum or rotative contact member 41.

The drum-actuating resilient means or springmechanism thus provided, for operatively connecting the rotative contact element or drum 41 with the driving shaft 22, comprises, by preference, a series of spiral springs located 'side by side on the inside of the rotative contact member or drum 41 and encircling the sleeve 44 and shaft 22, said springs being adapted to'be stretched to a suitable tension or tensioned by the rotation of the shaft 22 with respect to the rotative contact element or drum 41, and being adapted to actuate or rotate the drum or rotative-contact member 41 so as to cause the same to have a quick snappy rotative move ment which is faster than the rotative movement of the shaft 22, when the rotative contact member or drum is released and permitted to be actuated by the action or tension of said spring mechanismor springs 53, The drum-actnatlng spring mechanism,

"comprising the one or more s iral springs 53by preference a plurality 0 said springs arranged side by side and encircling the shaft 22 and located inside the drum or rotative contact element 41,-is adapted to be wound to a suitable tension by the rotation of the driving shaft/ 22 in the same direction in which the rotative tension member or drum 41 is rotated or actuated by the action or tension of said spring mechanism or resilient drum-actuating means. In other words, the tension of theadrum-actuat ing resilient means or spring mechanism,

comprising the spring or springs 53, tends to rotate the drum or rotative snap circuitcontrolling contact member 41 in the same direction the shaft 22 is rotated. And a resilient shock-absorbing element or spring 54. which is by preference in the form of a spiral spring wound in an opposite direction to that in which the springs 53 are wound, encircles the shaft-22' and sleeve 44 inside the drum 41 and beside the series of springs 53, one end of said shock-absorbing spring or reaction spring 54 being secured to the pin or boss 52' on the drum, and the other end of said spring 54 having an elongated loop portion 55 into which the crank pin or boss 51, which is connected and moves with the crank arm 49 and shaft 22, extends, one end of said loop portion of the spring 54 being adapted to engage a shoulder 56 formed at the end of the elon gated segmental slot 47 by the end plate 49 or thedrum 41, of which said end plate 45 may be said to form a part. The tension of the spring 54, which serves as a cushioning or shock-absorbing spring, is in an opposite direction to that of the springs 53. In

other words, the tension of the spring 54 tends to rotate the drum 41 in an opposite direction to that in which it is rotated by v the springs 53. And the shock-absorbing 0r cushioning spring 54 (is) thus adapted] ';to 5. yieldingly resist the movement of the drum 41 as it is rotated by the springs 53.

\Vashers 72 are interposed between the spiral or volute springs 53 and 54, for sepa- ,rating them. 1

,As the tension of the shock-absorbing reaction spring or cushioning spring 54 counteracts and tends to resist the action or tension of the drum-actuating'springs 53,

it will be readily understood that the drum 41 is so operatively connected wit] ithe shaft 22 by the resilient connecting means comprising said springs 53 and 54, that the drum may be rotated by, the rotation of the shaft 22 which is thus operatively connectedwith the drum,= and that the drum is also adapted to be rotated with respect t5 the shaft, or at a speed which may vary with respect to the speed of rotation of the shaft, by the action oftheresilient drum-actuating means or springs 53. "The shaft may there- .fore be rotated at a uniform speed or at any desired predetermined speed; and the rotative movement of the drum may be accelerated and diminished, or increased and, decreased with respect to the speed of rotation of the shaft.v And there may be certain periods in the operation of the device, in which the drum will rotate at the samespeed and in the same, direction with Ill ' the driving shaft 22. During other periods the drum may be stopped while the: shaft V I 22 continues to rotate. And during another period or periods, the drum, upon being released, will be moved or snapped forward by the actionof the springs 53 at an accel: erated or more rapid speed of rotation than that of the shaft, so as to'enable a quick snappy movement of the drum 41. \to be obtained which will tend to cause a correspoiidingly quickmake and quick snappy break of the electric circuit which is to be controlled by the action or movements of the circuit-controlling mechanism constructed and adapted to operate in accordance with my invention:

Stopping and releasing means for automatically'stopping and releasing the rotat-ive contact member or drum 41, is provided, as follows: 7

One or more stops 57 which are, by preferencestationary and arranged at suitable uniform distances from each other and at equal distances from the axis of the drum 41 and shaft 22, are mounted in a stationary support, such, for example, as the stationary frame member 9. These stops are located adjacent to the end of the rotative contact member or drum 41, and may be in the form of stop pins or shoulders, or teeth adapted to be engaged by one or more pawls or movable detents ,or stop'levers 58 pivotally mounted on the drum or rotative contact element 41 by means of a pivot pin 59 for each pawl or stop lever 58.

In the form of circuit controller shown in the accompanying drawings, 'onlyone pivoted pawl or stop lever 58 is shown or required. But there may be twoor more ofthe stationary stops 57,'by preference, one for each brush or electrically conductive contact finger 60 to be engaged by the rotative contact element or drum contact memher 43 successively, selectively, or in predetermined order. In the form of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, two stationary. stops 57, and two selective brushes or contact fingers 60 are shown; while, in the form of the device shown in Fig. 8, three stationarystops 57, and three selective contact fingers or brushes 60, are shown. An desired number of stationary steps 57 an brushes or spring-pressed stationary brushes or contact fingers 60 may be employed. 4

The movablepawlor stop' lever 58, which is' pivotally mounted on an end face of the body of the drum 4]. by means of a pivot pin 59 anchored in the insulated body portion 44 of the drum, is, by preference angular, or in the form of a bell crank lever having a forward lever arm 61, the forwardangular end 62 'of which is adapted to be moved inward and outward with respect .to the axis of the drum or rotative contact member 41, or inward into position to engage, and outward into position to release I or pass around the stationa y stops 57 successively or in predetermine order.

The movable pivoted pawl or stop" lever 58 also has a rear angular lever arm or tail piece 63 which extends rearward from the axis of the pawl substantially at right angles to the forward lever arm 61 and in fixed relation to the same, so as to form ,an angular of the pivoted pawl or stop lever 58, in-po- 1 sition to engage and actuate said pivoted pawl or stop lever.

This pawl actuating member 65 may be in the form offla cam or projecting shoulder or finger or pawl-engaging member of-any suitable form adapted td engage and operate the pawl or stop lever 58 in'one direction, to cause the awl to engage a stop 57, or in an opposite irection, tocause the disengage or release or pass aroun or be yond an adjacent stop 57 as required. 7 \And I prefer to'mount the pawl or pivoted stop lever 58 on the drum or rotative contact element 41 and the stops 5'? on a. sta tionary support adjacent to and in the path llU of movement of the pawl, rather than to reverse the relative positions of said pawl and stationary stops by placing the pivoted pawl on a stationary support in position to be engaged and operated by the cam, or in position to be moved into and out of engagement with stops mounted on the rotative drum or contact member 41 instead of on a stationary support, Y

4 And although I have here" shown only one selective segmental electrically conductive contact member or segment 43, any desired number of these selective segmental contact members or elements may be employed. And the continuous annular contact band 42 may be either on a separate drum or support on and movable with the shaft 22, or on the same drum 41 with the segmental contact elements or segments 43. I prefer, however, tomake the continuous annular contact member or band 42'and the selective segmental contact 1 element or segment or segments 43 in one stantly tend to press. and yieldingly hold the. brush or contact finger 66 in yielding conintegral piece of metal, which is mounted on a drum or body of insulating material 44, the continuous or endless annular contact band 42 being adapted to continuously engage a stationaryfeed brush or current supply conductor 66; which is b preference mounted onone side of an uprig t stationary supporting plate 15 of insulating material, and the interrupted or segmental contact member or segment 43, being located, by preference, in position to extend on the oppo- 'site side of or through the supporting plate 15 into position to engage the brush or brushes in successive or predetermined order so as to make or close a desired circuit or circuits, and in position todisengage such brush or brushes 60, to break'or open a desired circuit or circuits, as desired or required, for making a signal or for any P PQS The feed brush 66 may be of an desired ordinary and such, for example, as a bar of carbon or metal or any suitable electrically conductive material,- and is. electrically connected with a source of electric current supply, said feed brush 66 bein mounted in a suitable brush holder 67 Wl'llCll is provided with a spring 68 in engagement with and adapted to contact with theperiphery of the rotative con tact member 42 on the drum 41.

- The brushes or contact fingers 60 may he of identical construction with the'feed brush 66, and are each mounted in a brush holder 69 having a spring 70 in engagement with and adapted to wieldingly hold and tend to press'or feed said brushes 60 into yielding contact with the periphery of the segmental metallic contact member 43 andrthe periphery of the drum 41. The brush-holders 69 .may be of identical construction with the well known or suita le form,

66, said insulation plate 15 being provided with a large opening 71 therein through which the drum or rotative contact member 41 extends. (See Figs. 1, 2 and 9.)

The rotative contact member or drum 41 is, by preference. provided with a main body portion 44 formed of molded insulating material having the metallic or electrically conductive elements or. parts 42, 43 embedded in and flush with the outer brush-engaging surface of the insulating material or body portion 44. In the form here shown the brush-engaging or contact surface of the drum 'or'contact member 41 is the outer peripheral surface, and comprises the peripheral surfaces of the metallic'contact elements or parts 42, 43 and the peripheral surface 73 of the molded or molded and machined insulating body member 44 which may be united and secured together in any well known or suitable manner.

I provide at the circuit-breaking end of margin 74 and also, by preference, at the circuit-making end or margin '75 of each electrically conductive selective contact member or segment 43, an air-containing contact member 41. (See Figs. 2, 4 and 9.)

Each peripheral" recess, cavity, depression or air pocket 76 is formed, b preference, in

the peripheral face of the insulating body portion 44 of the drum 41, and extends trans versely across the path of the brush or brushes 60 on the peripheral face of the drum, so as'to provide an opening or hollow space between the corresponding or adjacent end margin or edge of the electrically conductive segment or contactv element 43 and the margin or rim 77, or wall of such recess, cavity, depression or air-containing pocket 76.

The recess or cavity 76 thus forms an open air pocket in the insulating body portion 44 of the'drum and adjacent to the end margin or edge of the electrically conductive segment or contact member 43, which is of sufiicient dimensions in length, width'and depth to contain a quantity of air which tends to expand when heated and to disperse or spread and blow out or cool and extinguish the spark 0r arc and minimize or prevent the burning or carbonization and breaking down or deterioriation of the molded or insulating material of which the insulating body portion 44 of the drum is formed.

The feed brush 66 is connected with the motogand with a suitable source of electric supply, and the brushes or contact fingers G0 are electrically connected with a sourceot' electric supply and with electric lamps, signals, or other devices to be electrically actuated or connected ,with said brushes, in any desired ordinary and well known manner, and by anywell known or suitable connecting means.

For example, the feed brush 66 is electrl cally connected with a motor by means of an electric conductor or wire 78. An electric wire 79 connects the brush 66 with a line wire or source of electric supply 80. An electric wire 81 connects one of the brushes 60 with an electric circuit 82 containing one or more electric lamps, signals or other electric devices 83, electrically connected with said wire 81 and with a line wire or other suitable conductor 84 by any desired ordinary and well known or suitable connecting means. An electric wire 85 connects a brush or contact finger 60 with an electric circuit 86 containing one or more electric lamps 87,

or other electric deviceswhich may be of any well known or suitable form, and, are

adapted to be electrically connected by suitable connecting means of any ordinary or suitable means with the line wire 84 or other electric conductor which may be of, any

ordinar or suitable form, accordin to the uses an purposes to be accomplishe (See Figs. 1 and 2.) p

' nFig. 2, the contact segment 43 on the drum 41 is shown in position to form an electrical connection between the feed brush 66 and one of the brushes 60 which is connected I with the circuit 86 by the wire 85, the circuit;

86 containing lamps 87 being thus closed. and the circuit 82 which is'connected with v the other brush'60 by the conductorwire 81, being disconnected from the feed brush 66,

and therefore open.

lid-Fig. 8 three selective brushes or contact fingers 60 instead of two, are shown. And the mechanism or device shown in said Fig. 8 corresponds in all other substantial respects with the mechanism or device shown in the other figures of the drawings and herein elsewhere described. 1

The operation of the automatically actuated stopping and releasing means will be readil understood by those skilled in the art, rom the foregoing description, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, particularly Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9. a

In Fig. 5 the pawl 58 is shown infull lines in the position which it would occupy upon coming into contact with the upper sta tionary stop 57. It will be readily understood that the arts shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, are intended and adapted to rotatefin a counter-clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrows. The rotation of the shaft 22 with its can; 6 fr m th positiouhown' n full lines in Fig. 5 to the position shown in broken lines in said figure, will release the pawl 58 from its engagement with the stop 57 as indicated in said figure. Upon being thus released the drum 41 with the pawl 58 will be snapped or rotated forward at a speed exceeding the speed of rotation of the shaft and cam, by the action of. the volute springs 53, first to the position shown in full lines inFig. 6, and onward to the position shown in broken lines in Fig.6, and in full lines in Fig. 7, so as to cause the pawl to en age the other or lower stop 57 as shown in ig. '6, to be again released and rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows to the position indicated in broken lines in Fig. 7. The cam rotates with the pawl 58 and drum'41, but at the same speed of rotation with theshaft 22'to which the cam is fixed. And the drum 41 or rotative contact member, is actuated by the spiral or volute springs 53, which are, resisted by the spring 54, whenever the drum is released by the automatic stopping and releasing means comprising the cam 65, pawl 58 and stop or stops 57, of which there may be. one or any desired number.

The drum or rotative contact element 41 is thus rotated with a quick snappy movement at a s eed in excess of the speed of rotation of t e shaft 22 and its cam 65,-and in the same direction of rotation, during the making and breaking of the circuit. The movement of the drum withrespect to the shaft and releasing cam is retarded by the action of the shock-absorbing spring 54 before being brought to a stop, which is thus accomplished without any unnecessary shocks. And the entire device is compact,

simple and economical in construction and operatlon, and durable, and not liable to get out of order or to be accidently stopped or hindered in its efiicient and continuous and uninterrupted operation.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a driving member, a driven member, resilient connecting means connected with and adapted to efiectan operative connection between said driving and driven members, a stationary stop mounted on asui t-able support, a movable stopping and releasing member on and movable with said driven member and adapted to operatively engage said stationary stop, and means connected with and adapted to be operated by said driving member for automatically moving said movable stopping and releasing member into and out of position to operatively engage said stationary stop.

2.1a a device of the class described, the combination of a driving member, a driven member, resilient means adapted to 'edect an operative connectionbetween said driving .afndfdriven members, a plurality of stationary stops, a movable stopping and re leasing dog or. pawl on and'movable with said driven member and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with said stationary stops successively, and pawlactuating means connected with and adapted tolbe operated by sa d driving member and acting to automatically move said movable pawl into and out of position to engage said stationary stops respectively 3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a driving member, a driven contact member, resilient means adapted to effect an operative connection between said driving nember and said driven contact member,a stationary stop, a movable stopping and releasIng member on and movable with said driven contact member, and means on and movable with said driving member for automatically moving said stopping and releasing member on said driven contact member into and out of operative engagement with said stationary stop 4. ma device of the class described, the combination of a rotative driving member, a rotative driven contact member, resi-lient connecting means adapted to effect an'operative connection between said driving and driven members, a stationary stop mounted on' a' snitablesupport, a movable stopping and releasin pawl mounted on and movable with said, rivencontact member, and a pawl-engaging member on and movable with said rotative driving member and acting to automatically move said pawl into and out of operative engagement with said stationary stop. v r

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a rotative driving member, a rotative driven contact member, resilient connecting means adapted to-eil'ect an operative connection between said driving and 1 driven members, a stationary stop mounted on a suitable support, a movable stopping and releasing member mounted on and mov able with said driven contact member, and an arm member on 531d rotative driving member and adapted to automaticallyen ,gage and move said movable stopping and releasing member alternately into and out of operative engagement with said stationary stop.

6. In a device of the class described the combination of a rotative'driving member,

, move said pivoted pawl in onedirection on its axis into position to engage said stationable stopping and releasing lever membeu pivotally mounted on said driven member and having a plurality of arm portions provided with a space therebetween, and an arm on said rotative driving member and extending-between said projecting arm portions of said pivoted stopping and releasing member and adapted to automatically move the latter on its pivot into and out of position to operatively engage said stationary stop.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a rotative driving member, a rotative driven contact member, resilient connecting means adapted to effect an operative connection between said driving and driven members, stopping and releasing means comprising a stationary stop mounted on a suitable support, a movable stopping and releasing pawl mounted on and rotative with said driven contact memher and having a plurality of lever arms provided with a space therebetween, and a cam on said rotative driving member and extending between and in position 'to operatively engage said lever arms alternately, to move said pawl into stop-engaging and releasing positions alternately.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a rotative driving member,

a rotative driven contact member having electrically conductive peripheral contact portions suitably insulated, stationary electrically conductive contact members or brushes adapted to operatively engage said electrically conductive contact portions of the driven contact member, resilient connecting means adapted toeffect an operative connection between saiddriv'ing anddriven members and acting to permit the driven contact member to rotate at a speed which varies with respect to the speed of rotation of the driving member, stationary stopping means comprising one or more stationary stops, a movable stopping and releasing member mounted on and movable with said rotative driven contact member, and an actuating and releasing member or cam on and rotative with said rotative driving member and adapted to engage and automatically move said movable stopping and releasing member located on the driven contact member into and out of operative engagement with said stationary stop.

l0. In an electric circuit controller of the class described, the combinationof a rotaf tive driving member, a 'rotative driven contactmember having suitably insulated electrically conductive contact portions, stationary electrically conductive brush members adapted to operatively engage said electrically conductive contactportions of.

the driven contact member, resilient means connected with and forming an operative connection between said rotati ve driving member and said driven contact member and adapted to permit the driven contact member to rotate at a speed which varies with respect to the speed of rotation of the rotative driving member, stationary stopping means comprising a plurality of stops mounted on a suitable stationary support, a movable stopping and releasing pawl member pivotally' mounted on the rotative driven contact member, and a r'otative cam member on said rotative driving member and adapted to engage and. automatically move said pawl member into and ,out of a position to operatively engage and release said stationary stopping means. 1 v

11. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a rotative driving member,

a rotative driven member comprisin an 12. In an electric circuit .controller, the

combination of a rotative driving shaft, a

rotative-driven-hollow drum member comprising an electricall conductive contact element and a drum y portion formed of insulating material, a crank arm fixed to said shaft, resilient means comprising a spiral spring located inside the hollow drum and having its opposite ends connected with said drum and said crank arm respectively, said spring tending torotate the drum in the same direction in which the shaft is adapted 'to rotate, shock-absorbing means tending to yieldingl resist the rotation of the drum in the irection in which it is actuated by, said spring, and means for temporarily retarding then releasing said rotative drum.

13. In an electric circuit controller, the combination of a rotative driving shaft, a rotative driven hollow drum member comof insulating material, a crank arm fixed to said shaft, resilient means comprising a 'spiral' spring located inside the hollow drum and having its opposite ends connected with said drum and said crank arm respectively, said spring tending to rotate the drum in the same direction in which the driving shaft is adapted to rotate, a reaction spring operatively'connected at its opposite extremities with said driving shaft and said rotative drum member. and acting to resist the rotation of the drum in the direction in which it is actuated by said first-mentioned spring,- and means for ,temporarily retarding then automatically releasing said rotative drum.

14.111 an electriccircuit controller, the combination of arotative driving shaft,'a rotativc drivenv hollow. drum member comprising an electrically conductive contact element and having a drum body portion formed of insulating material,- resilient means comprising a plurality of volute springs located inside of the hollow drum and each having its opposite ends connected with said drum and said driving shaft respectively, said springs'tending to rotate the drum in the samedirection in which the driving shaft is ada ted to rotate, a reaction spring located insi'd; the drum and having its opposite extremities 'operatively connected with and efi'ectin a .connection between said driving shai t and said drum respectively and acting to resist the rotation of the drum in the direction in which it is actuated by said first-mentioned springs, and

means for temporarily retarding then releas means comprising a spring encircling said hub and connected at its op osite extremities with said driving and riven members respectively, said spring tending to rotate the said driven member in the same direc-' "tion in which the driving member is rotated,

stopping and releasing means comprising .a stationary. stop, a pawl pivotally'mounted on said rotative driven member, and apavv'1- operating member fixed to said driving mem-- ber'and adapted to engage and automatically operate said pawl in one direction on its axis into position to engage said stationary stop .and in an opposite direction to release the pawl from engagement with the stop.

16.111 adevice of the class described, the combination of arotative driving shaft, a rotative hollow drum member comprising an electrically conductive contact element and .a drumbody ortion formed of insulating n1aterial,'res' 'ent means comprising a spring located inside of said hollow drum and encircling said driving shaft, said Spring having its opposite extremities connecte with said drivin shaft and said drum respectively, StOpplIlg, and releasing means comprising a stationarystop mounted adjacent to the drum, a pawl pivotally mounted 10 on said drum, and a pawl-operating member fixed to. said drivingshaft and adapted to engage and automatlcally operate said pawl m one direction on its axis into position to .and State of Illinois this 9thday of April,

WALDEMAR N. OLSON.

irection into position to release said 15 

